Othello falls into a trance of rage, and Iago decides to hammer home his false ideas about his wife. Why Does Iago Do the Things He Does? This statement shows Othello at his most unfair and vindictive, but it also shows his distrust of Venice, and its very subtle, highly mannered people. What does Iago observe about Cassio and and Desdemona? 'Tis gone. Literature Study Guides. This theme reverberates throughout the play. Cloudflare Ray ID: 607e9def4a916d5e GradeSaver, 29 September 2014 Web. I studied Shakespere at Oxford University. The "Willow Song" and her tale of her mother's maid also foreshadow Desdemona's death; yet her resignation is still strange. Desdemona asks Emilia whether she would commit adultery to win her husband the world. Othello then launches into a scathing condemnation of Desdemona; his tone is bitter and angry, although Desdemona cannot deduce what he is talking about. Iago takes out his sword and kills her. The basis behind Iago’s deceit is centred on jealousy of Othello which is triggered when Iago is not promoted to lieutenant instead Cassio is given the job. Cassio greets them all, especially praising Desdemona; somehow, Iago and Desdemona enter into an argument about what … As this metaphor suggests, jealousy is closely associated with the theme of appearance and reality. Find somewhere else to come down. But if I give my wife a handkerchief— OTHELLO What then? Othello: I think thou dost. When Othello withdraws, Iago … Othello, again, is primed for suggestion; notice how Iago merely says "lie," and Othello takes that word to mean "lie with her," further condemning both Cassio and his wife. Iago is a fictional character in Shakespeare 's Othello. Iago continues his insinuations when speaking to Othello; he provides more "proofs" that are anything but, though Othello has calmed, and seems more troubled and less angry. It is ironic that Emilia thinks of this, and condemns the man who must be manipulating Othello, since the one who has devised this whole thing is her own husband. Othello is incensed by Cassio, still believing that he was speaking of Desdemona, rather than Bianca. 241 My lord, I take my leave. After Othello has strangled Desdemona and the Venetian councilors are trying to understand what has happened Emilia accuses Iago. 7–32 ). The answer to this question can be found in Act II scene 1, which is when Iago observes very closely the kind of body language that Cassio displays when he greets and talks with Desdemona. Emilia pronounces what seems like a theme of the play, up until this point; "let husbands know, their wives have sense like them Šthey see, and smell, and have their palates both for sweet and sour, just as their husbands have" (IV.iii.96-99). (1.3.429-433) Of all the Shakespeare’s villains, Iago can be considered to be the most cunning and venomous. Swell, bosom, with thy fraught, For ’tis of aspics' tongues! Venice is a place of hidden deceits and carefully crafted appearances, somewhere that Othello has never truly been comfortable; and now, Othello is taking his grievances as an outsider out on Desdemona. Performance & security by Cloudflare, Please complete the security check to access. Othello essays are academic essays for citation. In … Why does he indirectly hint at the importance of “Good name in man and woman” (3.3.157) before shifting into discussions about the nature of jealousy? Being the play 's main antagonist, Iago is also the 'Ancient ' of General Othello as well as the husband of Emilia, the handmaiden of Othello 's wife Desdemona. The Turkish attack may have been quelled, but it also bodes badly for Othello's ship. 240 Set on thy wife to observe: leave me, Iago: IAGO [Going.] At the climax of the play, it is Iago’s wife, Emilia who exposes him. Emilia, the more practical one, thinks that it is not too big a price for a small act; Desdemona is too good, and too devout, to say that she would do so. Iago takes advantage of this flaw, and sets the quarrel in motion. Othello questions Emilia about Desdemona's guilt, or the chance she has had an affair with Cassio. Othello study guide contains a biography of William Shakespeare, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. He is talking with Iago about the handkerchief still, and its significance in being found; but, soon, Iago whips Othello into an even greater fury through mere insinuation, and Othello takes the bait. He speaks in single, disconnected words ‹"handkerchief‹ - confession‹ - handkerchief," (IV.i.37) or "Noses, ears, and lips,"‹ (IV.i.42) that belie his ability to speak coherently and elegantly, as Othello has before, especially in Act I with Brabantio. WORDS TO DESCRIBE Cassio’s personality. Joseph Ward May 31, 2014; Christine McKeever ed. Iago (/ i ˈ ɑː ɡ oʊ /) is a fictional character in Shakespeare's Othello (c. 1601–1604). Othello believes that Emilia is in on the deception; he accuses Desdemona, and her insistence that she is innocent only infuriates him further. His civility ebbs, as he continues to become the cruel, jealous, passion-spurred "savage" that Brabantio accused him of being. Possibly the most heinous villain in Shakespeare, Iago is fascinating for his most terrible characteristic: his utter lack of convincing motivation for his actions. In the first scene, he claims to be angry at Othello for having passed him over for the position of lieutenant (I.i. Means having sex. "Look to your wife, observe her well with Cassio;" Iago to Othello ACT 3 SCENE 3 - TEMPTATION SCENE. Othello is finally condemning his outsider status, even though it was a source of his pride and a defining theme of his rise to power. He tells her to be quiet and go home but she becomes even more vociferous. OTHELLO That’s not so good now. Othello still swears, after speaking with Emilia, that Desdemona is "a subtle whore"; the irony is that Othello takes Desdemona's piety and goodness as proof of the corruption lying beneath the surface, when these traits are as straightforward as possible. Lodovico especially is shocked at this change in Othello, and has no idea how such a noble man could act so cruelly. In the final speech, Iago is being sentenced to torture for all his crimes, "The time, the place, the torture, O' I enforce it." (3.3.118-119) This is a ‘shared’ line: Othello completes the line that Iago has started. Want to read the whole page? Emilia thinks that someone has manipulated Othello into accusing Desdemona, and has poisoned his mind; however, Iago is there to dispel this opinion, so that Emilia does not inquire further into her theory. Othello refers to himself as a "horned man," ashamed of this descent; yet it has settled upon him, and he will struggle in vain to regain his dignity (IV.i.62). Othello is trying, even after swearing that Desdemona was unfaithful, not to condemn her too harshly. This usually implies that the second speaker comes in on cue, though here something different happens. IAGO Ay, what of that? "Othello Act IV Summary and Analysis". Upon leaving the women, Iago comes across Roderigo; he is not pleased with how Iago has handled things, and knows that although Iago is promising him Desdemona's favor, he has done nothing to indicate that he has worked to achieve this. Iago. Desdemona is almost too good to live; indeed, had she admitted some fault or sin to Othello, it would have shattered his view that she was merely pretending to be good, in order to hide her treachery. • Perceptiveness is yet another motif in the play; it helps Iago do all of his dirty deeds, yet condemns Othello and Cassio when they cannot muster up enough of it to see that Iago is up to no good. Thou saidst—O, it comes o’er my memory 25 As doth the raven o’er the infectious house, Boding to all—he had my handkerchief. Iago’s motivation is essentially unknown: he claims that he is motivated by “sport and profit,” but the reader doesn't know for sure. Do thou meet me presently at the harbour. A horrible evil person. 1st Jan 1970 English Literature Reference this. I told Cassio to come back later and talk with me, At that time I'll get him to confess the details of his affair with Desdemona. The handkerchief is an omen of the destruction of their marriage. "O, the world hath not a sweeter creature," Othello declares of Desdemona; yet, against his reason and better nature, he decides that she shall not live for what she has supposedly done (IV.i.186). He tells her to be quiet and go home but she becomes even more vociferous. TERM Fall '20; TAGS Othello, Iago, Michael Cassio. By calling Othello certain things, what does Iago make Othello out to be? But for the handkerchief— OTHELLO By heaven, I would most gladly have forgot it. Desdemona's order to Emilia to put her wedding sheets on her bed seems peculiar; but it is meant as a reminder to Othello of her purity, and of their union. WHY DOES IAGO ACT AS HE DOES? • Will do as if for surety. But, when Desdemona mentions Cassio, Othello becomes very angry and slaps her in front of everyone; she rushes off, very upset. Arise, black vengeance, from thy hollow cell! We have seen him hatch and execute a bold and risky plot, whose point remains elusive. Lodovico, a noble Venetian whom Desdemona knows, has recently landed; Desdemona and Othello welcome him there. Not affiliated with Harvard College. In the last act Othello was trying to act as Desdemona's defender, and... Iago basically belittles women as deceivers and fickle to fidelity. Iago portrays Desdemona as lustful, desperate to trade Othello for a more refined Cassio. Why does Iago observe all of this closely? Here is where Raatzsch thinks the truth lies: Iago is above all a schemer. Iago poses the question of why someone would pretend to be something they are not, yet this is everything he represents. Iago is a man with an obsession for control and power over others who has let this obsession take over his whole life. Iago takes out his sword and kills her. Othello is trying, even after swearing that Desdemona was unfaithful, not to condemn her too harshly. His is the longest part with 1,070 lines. Othello's imaginative powers now turn against him; whereas, before he used his imagination to conjure up potent stories and vivid language, here he uses it to imagine Desdemona's infidelity, and Cassio's treachery. Iago’s character is consumed with hatred and envy. Iago is revengeful, for a number of reasons, the most prominent is the fact he is angry at Othello and Michael Cassio (the man who Othello promoted), … Desdemona, although she is good, is suddenly depicted as being meek; this sudden shift in her character is strange, and the source is unknown. Iago immediately begins to sow seeds of suspicion in Othello’s mind, subtly at first and then more obviously, suggesting that something is going on between Cassio and Desdemona, advising him to ‘Look to your wife, observe her well with Cassio’. In this monosyllabic line there are eleven words, not ten. Iago continues to become the master of Othello's perception; Iago tells Othello to observe Cassio closely and "mark the fleers, the gibes, the notable scorns" that he shows toward Othello (IV.i.82). Iago manipulates all the characters, in different ways. But for the handkerchief— OTHELLO By heaven, I would most gladly have forgot it. Iago uses language to manipulate Othello into a state of doubt about his wife’s faithfulness. What is his method of manipulation in this scene? But, unfortunately for Othello, Bianca coming by and giving Desdemona's handkerchief back to Cassio seems to confirm all of Othello's suspicions. IAGO If they do nothing, ’tis a venial slip. Iago quiets him by making him believe that if he kills Cassio, then he will win Desdemona; Roderigo decides to go along with it, but Iago is coming dangerously close to being revealed. Othello's trance also marks his descent into savagery; ironically, he becomes the passion-stirred, wicked beast that others had erroneously accused him of being because of his race. Why do Iago and Rod want to awake Brabantio? “Othello” was written in 1603 and is one of many tragedies that Shakespeare wrote. Iago is deeply bitter about this and says that he hates Othello as he does … Enter Iago and Othello. I would be more than happy to help you with your homework. 15. Some critics argue that there is no time in the play for Desdemona and Othello to have consummated their marriage; if so, the wedding sheets are as white as Desdemona, both pure and untouched still, and the handkerchief is also thus a symbol of Desdemona's virginity - an object Othello cannot bear to see in any other man's possession. If thou be'st valiant,— as, they say, base men being in love have then a nobility in their natures more than is native to them—list me. His passion is to control others and determine the course of events … Note the contrast between Othello's language as he falls into a trance, and Othello's language in any previous part of the play, including Act III. 3. At the climax of the play, it is Iago’s wife, Emilia who exposes him. Iago does his best to deny this, and convinces Roderigo to kill Cassio in order to win Desdemona; still, Roderigo's accusation means that either Iago will be revealed by Roderigo if Roderigo is not satisfied, or that Roderigo will have to die so that Iago's plans will go through. Your IP: 74.207.249.205 Iago finally gets to the point and tells Othello that Cassio and Desdemona may be sleeping together. You may need to download version 2.0 now from the Chrome Web Store. The villain Iago from "Othello" is a central character, and understanding him is key to understanding Shakespeare's entire play. Othello was the main focus of Iago's manipulation. Please enable Cookies and reload the page. IAGO 20 Her honor is an essence that’s not seen; They have it very oft that have it not. Roderigo, at last, is the one to accuse Iago of treachery; he has discovered the truth, that Iago's "words and performances are no kin together" (IV.ii.184). IAGO [Returning.] Shakespeare’s Othello – Iago’s manipulation skills The particular blend of character traits that enable Iago’s manipulation of Othello Although the play is named Othello, and although this character’s position and deeds are the center of the story, it is the character of Iago … Emilia admits to having seen nothing, though Othello does not believe her. Iago Iago Motivations One of the first reasons Iago gives for hating Othello is that the latter passed him over for promotion in favour of Cassio, a mere ‘counter-caster’ and a man with far less experience in the field of battle than Iago. What is the answer to that appeal of Othello's: Will you, I pray, demand that demi-devil ... And observe, lastly, that his failure in perception is closely connected with his badness. Again, the theme of order vs. chaos comes into play. Why does Iago kill his wife? IAGO Why, then, 'tis hers, my lord; and, being hers, She may, I think, bestow't on any man. Desdemona knows that she will die soon; she sings a song of sadness and resignation, and decides to give herself to her fate. Iago refers to jealousy as the "green-eyed monster." Arise, black vengeance, from the hollow hell! After hearing what Iago has said about what happened with Cassio, Othello is, for the first time, unsure about what is the truth. Iago calls Cassio in, while Othello hides; Iago speaks to Cassio of Bianca, but Othello, in his disturbed state, believes that Ca… OTHELLO That’s not so good now. The Moor has promoted Cassio to the position of Lieutenant which Iago had been targeting. Note Othello's reticent tone, even when he is condemning Desdemona to death; although chaos and jealousy have triumphed over reason, still there is a part of him that knows Desdemona is good, and does not want to condemn her. This shows Othello trusts Iago and believes he is honest, thus Iago’s lying is working, and he begins to pull the wool over Othello’s eyes.In the beginning of the play Othello’s relationship with Desdemona … Indeed, Iago is a satanic character whose manipulations often involve perverting that which is good and moral into a pitifully depraved heap. The lieutenant tonight watches on the court of guard:—first, I must tell thee … Look here, Iago, All my fond love thus do I blow to heaven—'tis gone. Combined with the racial hate and his suspicions Othello slept with Emilia Iago uses the weaknesses of many to deceive and fool them into thinking and doing what he wants this is particularly the case with Othello and Rodrigo. 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